Fu Peirong's Insights on the Zhuangzi

Author: Fu Peirong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-02-01
Features: Opening the book Zhuangzi, the first chapter is Free and Easy Wandering, and the first story that catches the eye is the bizarre tale of "Kun Transforming into Peng." However, Zhuangzi seems to be very interested in such plot elements, repeating the story three times in Free and Easy Wandering. To understand Zhuangzi, one seems to be unable to miss this allegory.
First, Zhuangzi says: "In the Northern Sea, there is a fish named Kun. Kun is enormous, spanning thousands of miles. Kun transforms into a bird named Peng. Peng has a wingspan as wide as clouds in the sky. This giant bird, when the sea breeze is fierce, migrates to the Southern Sea. The Southern Sea is a natural pool." Such a description is unforgettable, and "spanning thousands of miles" is utterly exaggerated to the point of absurdity. Zhuangzi's purpose is to bewilder our imagination, forcing us to break free from the sights and sounds of daily life, making us unable to ask with a clear mind: Does such a Kun and Peng truly exist? Where are they? Can a fish really transform into a bird?
By studying Zhuangzi, one can at least grasp the profound meaning of the three characters "wú dé yǐ" (). "Wú dé yǐ" does not imply compulsion, suffering, helplessness, or coercion. Instead, it means that when all conditions are ripe, one should act accordingly—i.e., "do what is appropriate and cease when it is necessary." Therefore, the key lies in: how to determine whether the conditions are ripe? Achieving this step marks the beginning of "transforming knowledge into wisdom."